Swim suit



J. SOLOMON Dec. 24, 1940.

SWIM- SUIT Filed Dec. 17, 1958 lNVENTOR J4CQ'08 J01 OM01) ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1940 SWIM SUIT Jacob Solomon, Forest Hills, N.- Y., assignor to U. S. Knitwear Corp., New York, .N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 1.7, 1938, Serial No. 246,313

9 Claims.

This invention relates to swim suits or bathing suits, and more particularly to such suits made for wear by women.

The primary object of my invention is to generally improve bathing suits or swim suits. Many women are dissatisfied with bathing suits because they fail to adequately support and mold the body. In an effort to obtain a snug fit for the sake of trim appearance and for confinement of the body, swim suits have been made of Lastex or like fabrics. It has been found that for swim suits such fabrics should have a stretch of, say, sixty or seventy per cent in order to afford comfort and free bodily movement. Such a fabric is, however, inadequate to change or mold the contours of the body.

A much stiffer fabric having a stretch of only, say, thirty or forty per cent, is much better and will successfully confine the body. However, it is not feasible to make a complete bathing suit out of a fabric having so little stretch. Such a suit would hurt the wearer, and in' fact, the seams would probably be torn open in even attempting to draw the suit on. If the suit could be gotten on, there would be insufilcient freedom of bodily movement for swimming and athletic purposes.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing difliculties, and to provide a swim suit which on the one hand is comfortable, and on the other hand will successfully help mold the body. The most common complaint is protrusion at the abdomen. In accordance with the present invention, the suit is made of a comparatively readily yieldable fabric, and a supporting panel is secured inside of the suit at the front, this panel being made of a much less yieldable material. The panel may, for example, be a Lastex fabric having only thirty or forty per cent stretch. The area of the panel is comparatively limited, and the panel therefore does not interfere with free exercise. For stouter women or for those desiring additional confinement of the body entirely around the hips, a confining band may be used, this band extending around the inside of the suit. When used in combination with the front panel, as would ordinarily be the case, this confining band extends rearwardly from one side of the panel to the other. The band as well as the panel are made of material which is much less yieldable than the suit. Inasmuch as the band is limited in vertical dimension, it does not prevent the suit from being drawn on the body, and does not prevent free movement thereof. The band and panel are located well down on the body, preferably below the waist, in order not to interfere with bending and twisting of the body.

In accordance with afurther feature and objectof the present invention; the suit is preferably 5 lined with a knitted material, for example wool or cotton, or a mixture of both. Such a lining is not new, it having been used already in swim suits, particularly of the lastex type. In the present case, however, the lining has additional 10 advantages in concealing the panel or/and the band. and of increasing the comfort of the wearer by providing a smooth, soft layer of fabric between the supporting members and the body. Moreover, the lining. may be used to advantage 5 in helping locate the panel or/and band without interfering with free relative movement of these support parts and the suit, and without marring the exterior of the suit by undesirable lines of stitching. More specifically, while the panel 20 or/and band may be secured to the suit by generally upright seams which are anyway used in the manufacture of the swim suit itself, the top and bottom of the panel and band are preferably free of the suit although they may, if desired, be 25 stitched to the lining. When only a front panel is used in the suit, the lining may be limited to the front of the suit, but when the band is used in addition to the panel, the lining is preferably a full lining extending around the inside of the 30 suit.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the swim suit and support elements and their relation one 35 to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a ladies swim suit in use, and illus- 0 trates the approximate location of the support members in the particular example here shown;

Fig. 2 illustrates the appearance of the front of the suit of Fig. 1 when turned inside out;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration showing the 5 relation of the parts of a suit having a front panel and lining, when viewed in horizontal section; I

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the relation of the parts of a suit having a front 50 panel and circumferential band, and a full lining, when viewed in horizontal section; and

Fig. 5 schematically shows the relation of the parts at the front of the suit when viewed in vertical section. 55

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly tol 'ig. l,thehathingsuit thereshownismade up in the main of a front section I! and side sections it which are stitched to the front section I: at the generally upright seams II. The side sections it extend around the back of the body and are stitched together by means of an upright seam at that point. Thus, referring to Fig. 3, there are three main upright seams, the two front seams II and the back seam II. The suit is completed by appropriate shoulder straps 2. (Fig. 1). when, as in. the present case, the breast portions of the suit are to be tailored to provide the desired convexity, this is accomplished by the use of additional pieces of material 22 which are suitably patterned and stitched to the front section II, as by means of the seams 24.

of the body entirely about the hips is desired.

a reinforcing band 2' may be provided, this band extending rearwardly around the inside-of the suit from one side of panel 26 to the other.

Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be seen that h the panel 26 is disposed within the front section I! of the suit, and that it is secured to the suit at the upright seams It. The suit is preferably lined at the front, and in the present case such a lining is schematically indicated at 30, the lining also being secured to the panel 20 and the suit at the seams i0. i

The construction of the suit may be further explained with reference to Fig. 2. This illustrates the appearance of the front of the suit when the suit 'has been turned inside out. The panel is indicated in broken lines at 26. The generally upright seams connecting the front section of the suit with theside sections it are indicated at it. The lining 30 preferably extends all the way from the top of the suit to the bottom. The outermaterial of the suit is folded over or hemmed, as is indicated at 32 and 34, and is stitched to the lining ll, as by means of zig-zag stitching indicated at 36 and 38. When, as in the present case, the lining is confined to the front of the suit, it is nevertheless extended sidewardly at the breasts, as is indicated by the pieces of lining 4.. These are secured to the top of the suit by l2 and are secured below the breasts, by the seams It. The pieces of lining 40 may be preliminarily stitched to the main lining ill, as by means of turned seams indicated at 43. A piece of lining is also preferably disposed at the bottom of the suit in the crotch, as is indicated at.

The lining conceals the stiffening panel 26 and adds to the opacity'of the suit at the front. It also increases the comfort of the wearer. an additional function when used in combination with the reinforcing panel, namely the function of helping to properly locate the panel and v to keep the same in smoothly spread condition.

It has desirable in operation because, as will later appear, the panel is preferably a much less elastic material than the suit. When the panel is made yieldable as it preferably is, the stretch is in a horisontal or sideward direction. By keeping the panel free of the suit at the top and bottom edges,

. the suit and panel are relatively self-adjustable and may each stretch in accordance with the best distribution of the fabric and the flesh confined thereby; ordifferently expressed, the panel may fulfill its supporting function without in any way interfering with the desired smoothly spread appearance of the suit. To hold the panel in vertically spread position and to prevent any possibility of either the top or bottom edge turnin inwardly, these edges are stitched to the lining It. 13;. construction will be clear from Fig. 5, in whicfitt will be seen that the panel 2! is stitched at the top'and bottom to the inin a by lines of stitching II and 52, but is free bf the front section [2 of the suit, for the stitching 6., I2 does not pass through the outside of the suit. In actual manufacture, this result is readily obtained by stitching the panel to thelining before the lining is stitched to the suit.

The suit may be made of a variety of materials, but is .preferably made of the new popular Lastex materialsrsuch fabrics being made of Lastex or like rubber-cored threads. The stretch of these fabrics is preferably considerable. It should be of the order of sixty or seventy per cent, for

although the entire-suit is intended'to hug the body closely and to have some suppo ting effect on the same, it is impossible to use fabric of substantially less stretch, say, thirty or forty per cent. The latter would make it impossible or difficult to draw the suit on the body; the seams would probably be torn open in attempting to put on the suit; and once-on, the suit would be unbearably uncomfortable and would seriously prevent free movement of the body.

like that used for the suit, except that it need not be made of ornamental design or texture, and is preferably so woven as to have but small stretch, say thirty or forty per cent. The elastic threads run in horizontal direction, so that the material stretches sidewardly, but is substantially inelastic vertically.

The lining may be made of any suitable fabric. Preferably a soft knitted fabric is used. Knit wool is desirable, but in less expensive suits, the lining may be knitted cotton or a mixture of wool and cotton. The knit material is soft, waterabsorptive, and is yieldable in all directions, and therefore has no tendency to spoil the flt of the suit about the body.

I have so far described the invention as applied to a swim suit having only a front stiffening panel and a front lining. Referring now to Fig.

4, the stiffening material may be used extending circumferentially, entirely around the suit. In the present case there is a band It in addition to the panel 28. The band extends rearwardly from one side edge of panel It around to the other side edge of the .panel. The band may be made of a single piece, or as here illustrated, is made of two pieces secured together at 54. The band is preferably left free of the suit except for a connection at the upright rear seam It. In other words, the supporting inserts are secured to the exterior of the suit at only three 5 points, namely the two front seams l8 and the rear seam I8. These points are selected because the suit is anyway provided with seams at these points. The construction may, of course, be modified when dealing with a suit which has been 10 patterned and assembled in different fashion.

The suit of Fig. 4 is preferably provided with a full lining. Thus, the side lining sections 56 are used in addition to the front lining 30. The sections 56 are secured together at a seam 58, but

the lining is preferably not secured to the suit at this point. The lining is secured to the suit at the front seams l6, but not at the back seam. All sections of the lining are, of course, secured to the suit at the top and bottom edges of the suit, the edges of the lining being concealed by the folded edges or the hems of the suit.

The circumferential band 28 is preferably made of Lastex material of limited stretch, and for simplicity, may be made of the same material as is used for the front panel 26. Similarly,

' the lining sections 56 may be made of the same material as the front lining 30. The band 28, like the panel 30, is preferably not securedto the suit at its upper and lower edges. The edges may,

30 however, be secured to the lining alone in order to safely hold the band in position.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the internal appearance of a suit having only a front panel. and front lining, but the approximate location of the circumferential band 28 when such a band is employed, has been schematically indicated in dot-and-dash lines at 28'.

It will be understood that the construction may be appropriately varied with suits of different design. For example, when trunks are employed separate from a suit top, the upper edge of the band may be secured to the upper edge of the trunks if the trunks are not high, yet may be secured to a lining alone as here described,

when thetrunks extend to a point substantially higher than the band. On the other hand, the suit may be made more modest with a skirt piece. Freedom of movement at the waist is essential for the bending and twisting attendant upon diving, swimming, and beach exercise. The panel and band are therefore set low on the body and are located generally below the waist. At the same time, they are not carried low enough to interfere with free kicking of the legs.

It is believed that the construction, as well as the many advantages of my improved swim suit, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described the invention in preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A ladies swim suit made of yieldable material to permit free bodily movement, a supporting panel secured inside of said suit at the front, said panel being made of material which is much less yieldable in order to help prevent protrusion at the abdomen, said panel being limited in area in order not to interfere with free movement of the body, and a lining at the front of the suit in order to conceal the aforesaid stiffening panel, said lining extending all the way from the top to the bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured together with the side edges of the lining to the suit, the top edges of the panel being secured to the lining alone and being free of the suit.

2. A swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric 5 having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, a supporting panel made of a Lastex fabric having a much smaller stretch, said panel being secured inside of said suit at the front in order to help prevent protrusion of 10 the abdomen, said panel being limited in area in order not to interfere with free movement of the body, a knit lining at the front of the suit, said lining concealing the aforesaid stiffening panel and extending from the top to the bottom 15 of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured together with the side edges of the lining to the suit, the top edges of the panel being secured to the lining alone and being free .of the suit. 20

3. A ladies swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, said suit being made up of a front section and side sections which are joined at the rear, a supporting panel made 25 of a Lastex fabric having a much smaller stretch, said panel being secured inside of said suit at the front in order to help prevent protrusion of the abdomen, said panel being so located and limited in area as not to interfere with freemovement of the body, a lining at the front of the suit, said lining concealing the aforesaid stiffening panel and extending from the top to the bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured together with the side edges of the lining to the 35 suit at the seams joining the front section of the suit to the side sections, the top edges of the panel being secured to the lining alone and being free of the suit.

4. A lady's swim suit made of Lastex or like so fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, said suit being made up of a front section and side sections which are joined at the rear, a supporting panel inside said suit at the front, and a confining band extend- 45 ing rearwardly around the inside of the suit from one side of the panel to the other, said panel and band being made up of a Lastex fabric having a much smaller stretch in order to help mold the body, the side edges of the panel being secured 50 at the seams joining the front section of the suit to the side sections.

5. A ladies swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, said suit being. made up of a front section and side sections which are joined at the rear, a supporting panel inside said suit at the front, and a confining band extending rearwardly around the inside of the suit from one side of the panel to the other, said 60 panel and band being made up of a Lastex fabric having a much smaller stretch in order to help mold the body, said panel and band being limited in vertical dimension and being disposed below the waist in order not to interfere with free move- 6 ment of the body, and a lining at the inside of said suit for concealing the aforesaid panel and band, said lining being secured to the top and bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured together with the lining to the 70 suit at the seams Joining the front section of the suit to the side sections, the top and bottom edges of the panel and band being secured to the lining alone and being free of the suit.

6. A ladies swim suit made of yieldable ma- 75 terial to permit free bodily movement, a support. ing panel secured inside of said suit at the front, said panel being made of material which is much less yieldable in order to help prevent protrusion 6 at the abdomen. said panel being limited in area in order not to interfere with free movement of the body, and alining atthefront of the suit in order to conceal the aforesaid stiffening panel, said lining extending all the way from the top to the bottom 10 of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured tothe suit by generally upright lines of stitching, the top and bottom edges ofvthe panel being secured to the of the suit.

'I. A swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, a supporting panel made of a Iastex or like fabric having a much smaller stretch, said panel being secured inside of said 20 suit at the front in order to help prevent protrusion of the abdomen, said panel being limited in area in order not to interfere with free movement of the body. a knit lining at the front of the suit, said lining concealing the. aforesaid stiffening panel and extending from the top to the bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured to the suit by generally up i t \lines of stitching, the top and bottom edges of the panel being secured to the lining alone and 80 being free of the suit.

8. A ladies swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, a supporting panel lining alone and being freemade of a Lastex or like fabric having a much smaller stretch, said panel belngsecured inside of said suit at the front in order to help prevent protrusion of the abdomen, said panel being so located below the waist and limited in area as not to interfere with free movement of the body. a lining at the front of the suit, said lining concealing the aforesaid stiffening panel and extending from the top to the bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured to the suit by generally upright lines of stitching, the top and bottom edges of the panel being secured to the lining alone and being free of the suit.

. 9. A ladies swim suit made of Lastex or like fabric having considerable stretch in order to permit free bodily movement, a supporting panel inside said suit at the front, and a confining band extending rearwardly aroimd the inside of the suit from one side of the panel totbe other, said panel and band being made up of a Lastex or like fabric having a much smaller stretch in order to help mold the body, said panel and band being limited in vertical dimension and being disposed below the waist in order not to interfere with free movement of the body, and a lining at the inside of said suit for concealing the aforesaid panel and band, said lining being secured to the top and bottom of the suit, the side edges of the panel being secured to the suit by generally upright lines of stitching, the top and bottom edges of the panel and band being secured to the lining alone and being free of the suit.

I JACOB SOLOMON. 

